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Hamline's Multiple Measurement Rating (MMR) Designation

Under Elementary and Secondary Education Act Flexibility, (formerly No Child Left Behind) Minnesota developed an accountability system that is focused on closing the achievement gap and promoting high growth for all students. A Multiple Measurements Rating (MMR) is given to all schools in the state on an annual basis and measures school performance in the areas of proficiency, growth, achievement gap reduction and graduation rates. A second rating, the Focus Rating (FR), is also used to measure a school’s success in reducing achievement gaps between student groups.

In moving to the newly reauthorized Every Student Succeeds Act signed on December 10, 2015, federal guidance provides for a clear and orderly transition. Minnesota schools' MMR performance for the 2015-16 school year was released at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, continuing as approved accountability system until a new system is in place. Minnesota's accountability system under ESSA will be developed over the course of the 2016-17.

September 12, 2016 Dear Hamline Families,

The Minnesota Department of Education recently released their Multiple Measurement Ratings (MMR), an assessment of school progress across the state. MMR ranks schools based on: 1) the number of students in each school who are reaching academic targets for their grade level, 2) how much growth has been made by individual students toward gradelevel standards, and 3) the gap between the academic performance of the lowest and highestperforming students in the school. The MMR rating is calculated from each school’s performance on the annual Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) exams. For high schools, the MMR also reflects graduation rates.

As a result of our MMR rating, Hamline will continue to be a Focus School. Focus Schools are part of the 10 percent lowest performing schools that receive Title I funding. Our school received this designation because of low test scores as reported in the MCA exams and for being among the 10 percent of schools in the state making the largest contribution to the state’s achievement gap. The 2016-17 school year will be a year to focus on supporting all students to help improve their academic performance and elevate our school’s state designation. In order to accomplish this important work, we will bring together our improvement team, which includes staff, community members and parents. Parents are highly encouraged to be a member of the improvement team. If you are interested, please call me at 651-293-8715.

If we can demonstrate significant improvement in the years ahead, Hamline will no longer be designated a Focus School. Hamline is dedicated to providing all students with an excellent education. Please join us in supporting your child’s work in the classroom by talking with your child’s teacher and by engaging in events and opportunities at our school. Our Family Engagement Plan is available on our school’s website at Hamline.spps.org/school, where you’ll also find other ways you can be involved in your child’s education. We look forward to a productive year.